I am looking for some advice on martial arts after a lumbar injury. A year or so ago, I blew out my back pretty badly. Managed to rupture two disks and bulge two others. Heavy-ass backpacks will do this to ya...anyhoo..to the point. I am getting back into Martial Arts again, after taking some time off.

Any exercise or rehab suggestions to keep me from messing it up worse?

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"The difference between us, and other martial arts websites you might be looking for, is that we're not going to feed you, well, bullshit about martial arts."
-Phrost

Mayhaps I should clarify. I have had three MRI's, two lumbar epidural steroid injections in my spine, and three separate doctors state that they will not be able to fix it. So I have seen a doctor about that. I am very much aware of the injuries. The general consesus is that I really can't **** it up any worse.

What I am looking for, I guess, is ways to strenghten the back muscles so I dont **** it up any worse than it is now.

I was going to put in my post that your either too dumb to seek medical advice or you don't like the advice you got.

FYI - You can always **** it up worse.

I would actually try Pilates.
Find a qualified instructor - there is a huge difference between some hack that learnt it off a video or seminar and an actual qualified instructor. They can help you build core strength.

Matt Fureys (http://www.matfurey.com) back bridging exercises help to stretch/strengthen the spine and surrounding muscles. I'd suggest buying and looking through his Combat Conditioning book.